Anyone else excited to finally see Clemens leave baseball?
 

Man, I dunno what it is about this guy. But I saw the Sox/Yankers game today, hearing the applause for Clemens made me almost think it was his last game, and baseball was finally rid of this jackass. Not that he is leaving for sure or anything, but the end is coming near, hopefully this year.

I dunno what it is about him, I just cannot stand Clemens. He's a great pitcher, without a doubt one of the best(Top 10 at least I'd give him, maybe) in baseball history. I just can't wait to see him go!

Heh, I understand your feelings about him. At least he doesn't discriminate when he pitches the close inside fastballs (he does the same thing to his own kids!). I used to hate the man, but after hearing him talk and stuff, I don't hate him, and plus he's a UT grad, so I gotta cut him some slack.

The best pitchers in baseball survived by pitching inside. That's the name of the game. He's one of the best pitchers of all-time. You should be glad you got the chance to see him pitch. You may never see anyone like him again.

I actually passed up the last and only chance I'd ever had to see him pitch. I dunno, though... I respect him a lot.

I can't stand him. He followed the money. And the fact that he'll wear a Yankees hat to the Hall of Fame makes me sick.

"He leads the league in saves, strikeouts, and hit batsmen. He threw at his own kid at a father-son game."--Major League

All I have to say on the matter is:

Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye (you suck!)

Oh, yeah. He sucks.

I'm not a Clemens fan, but man can he pitch. I'm glad to see him go, but I miss the Clemens of the 1980's back when he took us (sox fans) to the world series. Too bad there isn't always a storybook ending. I saw his first attempt at 300 at yankee stadium. I'll never forget how awesome it was to see him lose. It will be neat to see him pitch for Team USA next year (rumor has it)

Remeber now, the hall decides. Only if there is no definitive defining moment in the career do they leave it up to the player.
IMO the jury is still out as to whether or not he gets a choice.
192 wins, 3 Cy Young awards, 2 20 K games...... sound like "defining moments" to me.

Clemens has already said that if the Hall overrides his Yankee decision and forces him to wear the Sox cap, he won't show up for the induction. Who can blame him? 2 World Series Championships, 73-35, 928 K's, a Cy Young awards, all after the Sox said he was washed up. And that's just his Yankee stats. The two years he played for Toronto, he won the AL Cy young and Pitcher's Triple Crown BOTH years, leading the AL in wins, K's, and ERA.

And as for defining moments, I'd rather have the World Series wins. But I guess as Red Sox fans, not knowing what that's like, you vastly misunderstand their importance. Hate Clemens all you want, he's just another wonderful chapter in the Sox's storybook history, one that I can see why you're not too proud of and can't wait to end. Like Wade Boggs.

December 15, 1992: Boston refused to give third baseman Wade Boggs (who had played his whole career with the Red Sox) a long-term contract. Boggs signed with the Yankees, with whom he would get his only World Series ring four years later. He also won two Gold Glove awards as a Yankee, in 1994 and 1995. He'd been denigrated about his defense in Boston.

December 13, 1996: After failing to come to terms with (and rejecting a last minute offer from) the Boston Red Sox, pitching legend Roger Clemens -- who threw 38 shutouts during his Boston career -- signed as a free-agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.

December 17, 1996: Looking for a starter to replace The Rocket, Boston signed free agent Chris Hammond, formerly of the Florida Marlins. Hammond went 3-4 with a 5.92 ERA for the Sox in 1997. Roger Clemens won the 1997 Cy Young award. After winning it again in 1998, he was traded to New York, where he earned two consecutive World Series rings. In 2001 (still with the Yankees), he became the first pitcher in history to start the season with a 20-1 record; he finished 20-3 and won another Cy Young. His record over the first six years after he left Boston was 101-40.

Have a fun winter!

-Mikey

Roger Clemens is a prick.

Roger Clemens is a fierce competitor.

I think either description is true--depending on which team you support!

The most dominating pitcher I can think of is Bob Gibson. He would throw at his grandmother if she was crowding the plate. Roger Clemens has lost his mind at times, especially when Mike Piazza was within 60 feet, 6 inches of him, but he's one of the greatest of the last 20 years.

The fact that he's been so amazing for so long is incredible.

If you're glad to seem him go, I think you're missing out on one of the best pitchers of our generation. We shouldn't hope to see them go...we should be hoping that they'll stay.

This seems like the same argument people use with Barry Bonds. He's a jerk, so he's not as good. If we're just looking for happy-go-lucky players, vote John Kruk into the Hall of Fame.

The thing is , is that being a great pitcher has nothing to do with being an asshole.

No doubt he can pitch, but I still say its a shame he won't have to worry facing high heat from a batters perspective.

I would like nothing more than to see Rocket Roger slammed in the helmet with a 98 mph fastball.

It would be poetic justice.

It is pretty funny, in the 80's and early 90's Clemens was despised by Yankee fans.( I know I live in Jersey), but now he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

And MikeyC, The HOF is for INDIVIDUAL achivement, most players would rather be one of the best ever to play the game than be on a WS winner.

And you think with the hall just starting to bring the integrity back to the hat thing (amongst rumors that George was offering $1m to Roger to wear a NYY hat), that they are going to be "held up for ransom". Additionally do you think the ego of Roger will allow him to miss the cerimony?

Funny, it was always commonly reported that they signed Steve Avery to fill the void.

Like that was any better...

Fine, Steve Avery. Had two great seasons and a few average ones in Atlanta, then came to Boston after the Rocket left. In 1997 and 1998, he was a combined 16-14 (6-7, 10-7) with a 5.63 ERA and 108 K's for Boston. He played one more mediocre year in Cincy before hanging it up for good. Clemens, as we all know, went 41-13 with a 2.33 ERA, 563 K's and won 2 Cy Youngs.

So, who was the washed-up pitcher, Dan Duquette?

-Mikey

Great pitcher, but seemed like a complete prick. i guess I am biased though because I dislike anybody playing for a New York team :p.

Hes a good pitcher, but Ive heard hes a bastard. So I guess you win some and lose some.

Sure Boston gave up on him, more specifically Dan Duquette, and he had some great seasons with the Blue Jays, but if he hadn't signed with the Yankees he would've retired years ago. I'm sick of hearing how great this guy has been. He had four good seasons (86,90,96,97) but has done little else to show he could've survived without the Yankees. He should wear the greasy pinstipes in the Hall; the Yankees gave him a ring or two and three seasons when he's absolutely sucked. I really wish Shawn Estes had nailed in the face, instead of throwing behind him.

As much as i hate the yanks, I still root for the players from Texas. Great guy.

Ever since that prick almost ran my cousin and me down with a golf cart at the Willow Bend "celebrity" golf tourney in 1995, I have despised the fuck.

I could care less if she retires with her greasy pinstipes. All I care about is seeing her go down faster to the Red Sox in the playoffs than the fat girl on prom night.

Screw Clemens, her fat ass, and the Skankees.

Woah, how about telling us how you really feel?